Chris Boonzaier

This is interesting, found it in a pile of postcards... I have a "thing" for the 2nd Bavarian Division, and a "Thing" for Verdun... So a postcard to a 2nd B Div guy halfway through their Verdun Sejour is interesting indeed! From the 8th Komp, 15th b. IR

And he seems to be "Hugo".... Can anyone say "Wow Chris! He was a famous flyer with 36 victories!" Or will he remain "Hugo, the unknown Prussian " forever and a day?

Seems to have lost a cockade in theis one... has wound badge and EK1, but no flyers badge....

OK, Maybe he is not Prussian, but he looks the part... almost a Hollywood movie like Prussian... Notice his aviation shoulder boards...

Thanks ! :-)

Hi, can anyone make out his name? Thanks Chris (It IS 357 is it not?)

I dont expect anyone to translate the WHOLE thing, but if anyone could have a squint at these and just tell me if there is anything of interest? The guy writes terribly! Both are of the ruins of the village of Ornes.

I have one as well, on a stick pin like the KM eagles...

That is a more than fantastic group!!!!!!

Indeed, but I am hoping the stuff I could buy back then is worth as much. When I see what the Brit groups I sold off are worth today... I want to cry! But thats what collecting and trading is all about. Best Chris

Hi, this was once mine... http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2466&st=0&p=20197&hl=+skinners%20+horse&fromsearch=1&#entry20197

Nice indeed! But it poses a question.... what was the 2nd medal found ? :-) Hopefully not a DCM??

and how it was to be worn...

"There was apparently no official first or second class - the award was meant to be hung from a ribbon but pinback versions became common. " According to the text on the back of the document, it seems it was supposed to be worn on the lower left chest (i.e. pinback) but that the ribbon could be worn in the buttonhole?

This to a guy who served with von Brandis in the IR24, He got the EK1 as Unteroffizier in 1918 and continued on with von Brandis into the FK. Von Brandis wrote a book on his experiances in the Baltic, one day I hope to see if "my guy" gets a mention...

And his verdienst abzeichen which seems to have been awarded to guys who had served for a year in the FK

I dont really concentrate on Freikorps, but on occasion something turns up... These two for one of the first members of Marinebrigade Erhardt...

fantastic... how did you find them? Best CHris

I think that may have been mine at one time. Nice piece!!!!

Hi, I guess everyone has a personal point of view, mine is still along the lines of, if you want to give someone a "token of appreciation" (for want of a better word) its a little bit insulting to go for the cheapest contractor. You say, "We appretiate your service enough to give you this nice medal" or " thanks guy, here is a little something from the cheapest bidder". The recent thread on the latest German medal shows the Germans (like everyone else) are leaning to the latter.

Hi, does anyone have a break down in how these were structured? If they had 6 battalions they must have been huge units. Is there a place name on it? Best Chris

Hi, what would the police spears set you back if you wanted to buy one? Best Chris

The Portuguese seem to have used the French Croix D Guerre as a starting point...

Am i right in thinking that the govt tolerated Freikorps were abolished and the members all craweled under rocks like this association?

Very interesting! I think it is a normal Reichsmarine Ausweiss to an ex member of Ehrhardt. The Freikorps was disolved in April 1920 and some elements transfered to the navy. From the photo I would guess that he had been in the Freikorps from the beginning of 1919. I think the Verdienst badge (on the pocket) was given to those who had served a year in the Brigade as opposed to the members arm badge. I think it was just as pictured, with no flap. best Chris